The Villa Times - 04/03/2008

The Aston Villa Old Stars season starts Sunday March 9 when they play Mickey Buttress XI at Hollyfields Sports Club, Woodacre Road, Erdington (2.30pm). Proceeds from the game will go to the John Taylor Hospice and Kidney Research.

Stephen O'Halloran seems to have no luck with loans. His last loan (to Southampton) saw him go unplayed and this time, at Leeds, he has had to return to Villa due to a cruciate injury. Full article: Click Here

On loan Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson has said that Villa is his No.1 choice after reports linked him with a move to Tottenham Hotspur this week. He said 'I want to settle down next season if I'm not going to be a No.1 at Liverpool. For the last four years, I've been backwards and forwards to Sheffield, Charlton and Villa, that's quite difficult. Villa are my No.1 choice though. It's got to be, definitely. I've had a lot of support from everyone at the club.'

Marlon Harewood says, after getting his 100th goal recently, that he now wants to get 200 and plans to play on until he achieves that milestone. He said in the Sunday Mercury: 'I hope to get 200 league goals, I've been in football for ten years, so another ten years? It's possible. I want to play for as long as I can and hopefully I can reach that goal target.' Adding, 'I want to stay as high in the leagues as possible, that is any footballer's dream. But if I have to go down and down through the leagues then I will do that because I just love football. I love playing, the team bonding, winning stuff and, hopefully, getting to finals. I just find it exciting.'

Gabby Agbonlahor has told opponents to 'Underestimate us at your peril.' Adding that he thinks we deserved to beat Arsenal at the weekend.Gabby also says that it is playing on his mind that he hasn't scored for a while. On the official site he admitted, 'It's disappointing not to score since Wigan. Obviously it is on my mind, but the main thing is to get the points. It is not about goals. I am just saying to myself that the goals will come and as long as I am contributing and doing well for the team then I am happy. Even if you haven't scored for a while, you can't let it dwell on your mind. The main thing is the team.'

Reports today suggest that Curtis Davies will be out until mid October after having surgery on his ruptured Achilles. He said: 'The surgeon said it went very well. Obviously there's a little bit of soreness there now and I'll just have to rest it up and let everything settle down.'

Vital Villa asked for your votes for our man of the match v Arsenal. I think for the first time, on loan Liverpool keeper Scott Carson has been voted 'da man' (see, I'm down with the kids and very 'street') with 35%. John Carew was next up with 24%

Talking about John Carew, the big man has said to the Evening Mail he would love to extend his contract at Villa, even though he has two years left on his current deal. Since moving to us from Lyon on a swap deal involving some player who's struggled since, Carew's has been quite up and down in terms of form, injuries and application. This season he has hit 9 goals, and over the last few weeks has started to look absolutely phenomenal for us upfront and although considered a nomad given the number of clubs and countries he's visited during his career, he appears to be absolutely adoring life at Villa Park. 'Would I sign for longer? Absolutely, but that is down to the club and whether they are still happy with me.' Full article: Click Here

Gareth Barry has told John Curtis of the Press Association that getting Villa into Europe would be the highlight of his career. 'If I were to captain the club into Europe, that would be the best achievement of my career. I am looking forward to that happening but there is still a lot of hard work ahead.'

The Reserve League South away fixture against Arsenal (originally scheduled for Monday, March 10) will now be played on Wednesday April 2.

Despite failing to establish himself this season, and subsequently going on loan to the Baggies, Luke Moore is hopeful that O'Neill can steer us to European glory. Moore may only be on loan at the moment, but unless there are major changes he will join Albion at the end of the season permanently, but speaking today on the official site, Luke has admitted his heart will always be at Villa, and being a boyhood fan, he is no doubt very disappointed at how things have turned out for him since his shoulder injury. 'Villa are a massive club, they are flying and me more than anyone is pleased for them. I'm a fan and I hope they get into Europe. I am Villa through and through. I was at Villa from when I was eight years old and I'm 22 now. I'll always love the Villa fans though, the Holte End and the away support.' Full article: Click Here